Said the condor to the preying mantis
"We're gonna lose this place just like we lost Atlantis
Brother, we got to go sooner than you know"
The Gypsy told my fortune, she said that nothin' showed

Well, who put the bomb on the sacred altar?
Why should we die if it comes our way?
And why should we care about a little button
Being pushed by someone we don't even know?

Well, I wish I was an Aztec
Or a runner in Peru
I would build such beautiful buildings
To house the chosen few
Like an Inca from Peru
Like an Inca

If you want to get high, build a strong foundation
Sink those pylons deep now and reach for the sky
If you want to get lost in the jungle rhythm
Get down on the ground and pretend you're swimmin'

If you want to put ice in the lava river
First you must climb, then you must stand and shiver
Brother we got to go sooner than you know
The Gypsy told my fortune, the Gypsy told my fortune
The Gypsy told my fortune, she said that nothing showed

Well, I wish I was an Aztec
Or a runner in Peru
I would build such beautiful buildings
To house the chosen few
Like an Inca from Peru
Like an Inca
Like an Inca
Like an Inca

Said the condor to the preying mantis
"We're gonna lose this place just like we lost Atlantis
Brother, we got to go sooner than you know"
The Gypsy told my fortune, the Gypsy told my fortune
The Gypsy told my fortune, she said that nothin' showed

Ah, who put the bomb on the sacred altar?
Why should we die if it comes our way?
Why should we care about a little button
Being pushed by someone we don't even know?

Well, I wish I was an Aztec
Or a runner in Peru
I would build such beautiful buildings
To house the chosen few
Like an Inca from Peru
Like an Inca
Like an Inca

I feel sad, but I feel happy
As I'm coming back to home
There's a bridge across the river
That I have to cross alone
Like a skipping rolling stone
Like an Inca

Copyright: WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Writer(s): Neil Young